In the end, there was no navy blue to be found. What turned up was a deep grey blanket — with a fringe, which barely met Bai Youwei’s requirements.

Shen Mo draped it over the new wheelchair, covering even the backrest.

The wheelchair instantly took on an air of aristocratic refinement. Add a bit of gold and silver and gemstones, and it might rival an ancient European lord’s throne.

“How does it feel now?” Shen Mo asked.

Bai Youwei settled into her new wheelchair, sat with it for a quiet moment, then looked up at Shen Mo.

“…A little warm.”

Shen Mo stared at her in silence.

Just then, someone knocked on the door outside.

“Ge! Open up — I’ve got people here! We’ve got our full count!”

Full count?

Shen Mo and Bai Youwei exchanged a glance inside — both equally surprised.

Shen Mo went to open the door.

Shen Fei stood in the doorway, ushering in one person after another —

Yu Yaqing, Yan Qingwen, Lu Ang. The athlete Luo Bin who had come before, the gaming enthusiast Zhao Mingdeng. And then a young man with narrow eyes and a small face.

Bai Youwei’s brow furrowed, almost imperceptibly.

She noticed the man at the back was wearing white gloves.

“This is Jiang Hao — just arrived in Shanghai a few days ago. The survivor who came out of Game #21 last time was his companion. They’re from Guangzhou, have game experience, and have both entered labyrinths before. Very capable!”

Shen Fei was enthusiastic as he brought the man before Shen Mo and continued his introduction:

“And this is my brother! He used to work for the National Security Bureau — he’s incredible! In the game, without a single item, he can still clear it!”

“A pleasure to meet you…” The man called Jiang Hao smiled and extended his hand. “I’ve heard much about you. I hope we’ll work well together.”

Shen Mo glanced at the white-gloved hand for a beat, then reached out and shook it briefly. “Your gloves are quite distinctive. Are they an item?”

“Ah, yes.” Jiang Hao smiled. “Too conspicuous, aren’t they? People always ask about them. These are items a few of my companions and I obtained in a game. As for the specific function — let’s keep that to ourselves, shall we?”

The function of an item was everyone’s trump card; it was private, not something to be shared lightly.

Shen Mo was somewhat puzzled, though. If they were truly an item, why had no relevant information surfaced in his mind when he touched them?

He then considered — the gloves were a *pair*.

Perhaps it required simultaneous contact with both gloves to receive an answer.

“That would still only be nine people,” Bai Youwei said, studying them. “Who’s the tenth?”

Shen Fei answered immediately: “Me!”

Decisive. Full of energy.

Shen Mo frowned. “Your parents both agreed?”

Shen Fei deflated halfway. “Ge… I’m not a child anymore. They agreed.”

Shen Mo: “Tell me the truth.”

Shen Fei closed his eyes. “My dad agreed.”

*My mom is home crying.*

Shen Mo considered for a moment, then looked at Bai Youwei.

Bai Youwei shook her head at him.

Shen Fei saw this, assumed Bai Youwei was objecting to his joining, and instantly grew agitated. “My dad agreed! Ge! Just let me go! You can’t stop me!”

Bai Youwei gave him a soft, pleasant smile. “How about this — let’s step into the room and talk it over.”

She gripped the wheel rims on both sides of the wheelchair, turned, and rolled toward the bedroom.

Shen Mo looked around at the people in the room and said evenly: “Yan Qingwen, Yu Yaqing — come in for a moment to discuss my brother’s situation. It won’t take up much of everyone’s time. Sorry for keeping the rest of you waiting five minutes.”

“Why should they get a say?!” Shen Fei protested indignantly. “This is my business! My dad agreed! You have no right to keep me from going!”

Shen Mo ignored him, led the others into the room, and closed the door behind him.

…

Inside the room, Shen Mo looked at Yan Qingwen and Yu Yaqing with calm composure.

“I assume you’ve both noticed. The white gloves.”

—